Archaeology 4 Schools is excited to offer Presentations, Workshops, and Excavation Programs specifically designed to meet the MA Fourth Grade Standards.
Presentation
The Presentation runs close to 1 hour and covers the Content Standards in Grade 4, Topic 2. Topics include: an introduction to archaeology, theories about how and when the first Indigenous People migrated to North America, and sites one can visit today to see where those first people have lived. Presentations are designed for a whole grade level in a larger space such as a library or auditorium with a screen. The Presentation can be held as a stand-alone or may be followed by individual classroom Hands-On Workshops or Excavations.
Hands-on Workshop
In each classroom, students take part in a ~80-90-minute workshop (depending on focus and student participation). The Workshop introduces students to the iconography of Native American pottery. Students then try their hand at laboratory work in the form of pottery reconstruction. After small terracotta pots are decorated and then broken, students attempt to use clues to piece them back together, simulating what archaeologists do when studying ancient ceramics.
Excavation Program
During the Excavation Program, Jeff leads an excavation on school grounds or within close walking distance to the school (prior permission for a specific location must be granted) to give students the opportunity to participate in a real “dig.” Jobs and roles will be taught and assigned (as students’ abilities allow) on a rotating basis so that all students have an opportunity to experience different aspects of an excavation. Student roles include mappers, excavators, sifters, artifact drawers/artists, and cleaners. The site chosen to be excavated will be “pre-seeded” with small artifacts. Students should be prepared to do physical work (as students’ abilities allow) and to get dirty!
Because of the hands-on nature of this program, the program is limited to one class (up to 25 students) per excavation. However, consecutive excavations can be arranged so that as many classes as needed can be accommodated and can participate. Since this program occurs outdoors, accommodations would be made for weather delays.
Pricing
5% discount when choosing two programs
10% discount when choosing all three!
- Whole group presentation ~ 60 minutes: $300
- Classroom workshop ~ 80-90 minutes: $350 each
- Excavation program per class:
$325
- Travel fees: $.75 per mile round trip (calculated from the Wayside Inn in Sudbury)